Does caution rule or rather physicality?
The semi-final of the Europa League brings a clash of neighbors. When Italy meets France, waves run high, especially when two such large fan camps are involved. Although they will only marginally decide the outcome, they will contribute to the atmosphere. In the match between Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo, the odds on victory are more in favor of the sky blue
The game will be particularly exciting here. Both clubs have had a few hiccups in the domestic leagues in the recent past. Now, however, the international comparison is coming up and both have presented themselves strongly in it. Will this continue?
When it comes to recent performances, it’s clear to see why it’s so difficult to make predictions about Marseille’s promotion against Atalanta Bergamo. A bonus like Oddset can certainly help. However, things only get marginally better when you look at the game.
Both teams are potent offensively, have noticeable defensive problems and a certain tendency towards physicality. Coupled with the nervous feeling of an international semi-final, the game could take some time to get going
Marseille – statistics & current form
The men from Marseille have a penchant for spectacle. Unfortunately for their fans, however, on both sides of the pitch
The offense is dangerous, but often one-dimensional
According to the results so far this season, Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo are not the worst bets for a few goals. On the one hand, the Sky Blues’ forward line speaks for itself.
They have proven to be quite potent both in the league and in international competition. One man is mainly responsible for this. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, with a total of 14 goals and eight assists, is at the forefront of an aggressive team.
He prefers to play through the middle via a hole pass or via the wing. The target, however, is the jack-of-all-trades in the center, who can do almost anything from a bicycle kick to a sensitive lob with his head. Unfortunately, there is a certain gap behind him. This repeatedly leads to bottlenecks, which could become a problem, especially at the back of the squad
The defense likes to fight with itself
Because the sky blue defense is not always on top of its game. However, the fact that this is a semi-final also shows that this is not a permanent situation. It’s just that mistakes have crept in again and again in recent matches.
The men from the south of the Grand Nation have been waiting for consistent successes for weeks and often only have themselves to criticize. The south coast derby with Nice was a wonderful example of this. Although they were superior, they caught an unnecessary yellow card at the break. The result? Nice came back and the score was again only shared.
It was a similar story in the previous round with Benfica. However, after a 1-2 draw in the first leg, they still managed to win 1-0 on penalties. Now, however, they face an opponent where their weakness in aerial duels could become an issue. The defense has to have a strong and above all concentrated day twice, otherwise the final will only be shown on TV.
Predicted Marseille line-up:
Atalanta Bergamo – Statistics & current form
The Bergamasci are dreaming of a European triumph. Standing in their way are the men from Marseille and sometimes their own concentration
Marseille, Atalanta Bergamo and the odds on scoring
So will it be a shooting match when the Black & Blues travel to Marseille? Based purely on the bare figures, then yes. There have been more than enough goals in both domestic competitions and international meetings.
Atalanta, like Marseille, like to play with the ball at their feet. Here, however, it is mainly the wing play that is pushed. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, Gianluca Scamacca (9 goals + 4 assists) and Ademola Lookman (9 goals + 6 assists) are the classic attacking duo. Fast and small meets big and beefy.
Crosses from both sides make perfect sense, especially if the aerial duel is not a strength of the sky blue team. What is far more likely, however, is a cut-back to the onrushing midfield.
This is what makes up the X-factor in Bergamo. In Teun Koopmeiners, the second wave has the best scorer with eleven goals and thus another reason to go for goals
Keeps the concentration?
Atalanta are, quite rightly, seen as one of the hottest contenders to win the European Cup. This can be seen in many of the predictions made for Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo. Behind all of them, however, there is a big BUT.
If they are in form and focused, then they need not fear anyone. The dismantling of the Reds at Anfield (3:0) proved this more than impressively. However, if they are not fully focused, then point losses such as against Hellas (2:2) or Cagliari (1:2) come into the equation.
Even on their way to the Coppa Italia final, they allowed Florence to snatch a 1-0 lead and numerical superiority, only to knock the Violets out of the competition 4-1 in extra time. Despite all the euphoria about Liverpool, Bergamo must always start with the basics. If not, it will be a long evening in Marseille.
Predicted line-up for Atalanta Bergamo:
Marseille – Atalanta Bergamo head-to-head comparison / H2H result
The clash between the two rivals is a relatively new one on the European stage. Unsurprisingly, the main culprit here is the visitors from Bergamo. They have been enjoying the European fruits of their labor to excess for several years now. Comparisons are also rather rare, which is why the betting odds for Marseille and Atalanta Bergamo are based purely on theory
Marseille – Atalanta Bergamo betting tip
It will probably be a physical and tactical match. Both teams like to attack, have a penchant for attacking and nominal strikers. The big question will therefore be the extent to which physicality can establish itself as a factor. The Bergamasci would certainly have a trump card up their sleeve
According to most betting providers, Marseille vs. Atalanta Bergamo will end with bet 1, but this is mainly due to the home advantage. However, the Reds from Liverpool had to realize how little this can mean in the preliminary round
